Public Safety Digest for Nov. 16, 2013

Child injured in attack on Acosta Plaza home

A 2-year-old was injured when someone fired upon, and threw Molotov cocktails at, a home in the 900 block of Acosta Plaza, according to the Salinas Police Department.

Officers responded at 9:05 p.m. to a report of bottles being thrown at a home and a few moments later shots being fired.

When they arrived they said they found several bullet casings outside the front door and later determined the bottles were Molotov cocktails - devices intended to set the home on fire.

No one was seriously injured, but a 2-year-old was struck in the eye by debris and was taken to the hospital to be treated for the non-life threatening injury, police said.

At this time the only suspect information is two people were seen running from the area and jumping over a wall that leads to East Laurel Drive.

They were described as a man in his 20s wearing a black shirt and a woman in her 20s wearing a brown jacket, police said.

Salinas store robbed at gunpoint

Two men robbed the Smart & Final in the 300 block of East Market Street on Thursday, according to the Salinas Police Department.

The men entered the store at 11:54 p.m., and one pointed a handgun and forced an employee to hand over an undisclosed amount of cash, police said.

The suspects then fled in an unknown direction.

They were described as men in their 20s wearing black hoodies and blue jeans. They were approximately 5-foot, 6-inches to 5-foot, 8-inches tall with thin to medium builds, police said.

King City teen reported missing

A 13-year-old King City girl was reported missing at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, according to the King City Police Department.

Daniella Rodriguez stands at 5'2" tall and 130 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen leaving her residence in King City wearing khaki pants and a gray hooded sweatshirt, and carrying a brown backpack.

She is known to have a history of depression and suicide attempts, and may be en route to Oxnard where she has family.

If located, please contact the King City Police Department at 831-358-8311.

SPCA rescues 13 cats from alleged hoarder

Thirteen cats were rescued Thursday from an alleged hoarder in unincorporated Monterey County, the SCPA for Monterey County said Friday.

In addition to the 13 live animals, workers also found multiple dead cats in the yard. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office, Adult Protective Services and Monterey County Sheriff's Code Enforcement are all involved in the case.

Inside what the SPCA described as a "dark" and "dusty" house, workers found trash, multiple extension cords leading to space heaters and a working refrigerator standing in the center of the kitchen.

However, most of the home appeared to be without power, the SPCA said.

The roof was covered in shredded white plastic and large plastic storage bins served as litter boxes that hadn't been cleaned for an extended period of time. Furniture and carpets were fully stained with additional animal feces and the resulting ammonia smell filled the home, the SPCA said.

Workers found numerous cluttered sheds and storage areas in the backyard, as well as an in-ground pool filled with black algae that likely serves as a breeding place for mosquitoes, the SPCA said.

All 13 live cats are being treated at the SPCA.

Humane traps will be set near the home to safely capture any additional cats hiding on the property.

This is the eighth major rescue taken on by the SPCA since July 2012. In these cases, the SPCA has rescued 234 pets and discovered 113 dead kittens and cats.

Sheriff's Office kicks off teddy bear campaign

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office has kicked off its annual teddy bear campaign to benefit children in need during the holidays and traumatic events.

The yearly campaign runs through Dec. 31 and was established to provide teddy bears to patrol deputies and detectives who encounter children in traumatic environments. Monterey County coroners also use the teddy bears and stuffed animals when making death notifications where a child may be present.

Throughout the year, teddy bears are presented to young victims of crime, in hospital emergency rooms, to pediatric teams, crisis groups and at homes serving children.

Children who might not otherwise receive a Christmas gift are presented with stuffed animals via agencies conducting special holiday events for the needy.

Stuffed animals must be newly purchased. To make a cash donation, checks should be written out to the "Sheriff's Advisory Council" and mailed to a drop-off location. Write "Teddy Bears" in the memo portion of the check.

Drop off locations include:

? Coastal Station - 1200 Aguajito Road, Room 002, Monterey.

? Castroville - 10680 Merritt St., Castroville.

? South County Station - 250 Franciscan Way, King City.

? Central Station - 1414 Natividad Road, Salinas.

For more information, please call Donna Galletti at the Coastal Station at 831-647-7909, or Dave Crozier in Castroville, King City and Salinas at 831-759-6675, 831-759-6678 or 831-385-8312.

Hollister shooting injures man, girl

A single bullet was responsible for injuries to a Hollister man and a pre-teen girl Thursday evening in the 100 block of Third Street in Hollister, police said.

Officers responded at 6:05 p.m. to an apartment building where a 24-year-old man and a 12-year-old girl each sustained a single gunshot wound, according to the Hollister Police Department.

The man told police he was standing inside his apartment near a window when someone outside fired once, striking him in the left arm.

The bullet then traveled through a wall and into an adjoining apartment, where it hit the girl in the back.

Both were taken by ambulance to Hazel Hawkins Hospital. The girl was treated for a minor injury and released. CALSTAR later flew the man to a Bay Area trauma center where he was treated and released.

Witnesses told police they saw two teenage boys walking in the area seconds before the shooting. Further investigation led police to believe the shooting was gang-related and the girl was an unintended victim.

No suspects have been identified.

Investigating officers recovered a rifle tossed in the backyard of a nearby residence and a .357-caliber handgun hidden in a hedge near the home.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Detective Staci Esqueda at 831-636-4330, extension 114, or Gang Detective Matthew Weiss at 831-636-4330, extension 132. To remain anonymous, call the tip line at 1-800-78-CRIME.

Seaside police: Vehicle struck in apparent gang shooting

Seaside police officers responded late Thursday night to Wanda Avenue where a vehicle was struck by gunfire, according to a report.

Upon arrival at 10 p.m., officers found a parked car was hit, but the intended victim was not injured.

The investigation is ongoing. The shooting is believed to be gang-related, police said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Seaside Police Department at 831-899-6748, non-emergency dispatch at 831-394-6811 or anonymously at 831-899-6282.